Some of the greatest acts of Amjad Khan 
By Screen Weekly, August 27, 2007 - 14:43 IST
SHOLAY
Amjad Khan took villainy on the Indian screen to a hitherto unmatched level with the 1975 blockbuster, as the memorable one-liner-spewing dacoit Gabbar Singh. To prepare for the role that Amitabh Bachchan was eyeing, he read Abhishapth Chambal, a book on Chambal dacoits written by Jaya Bachchan's father Taroon Kumar Bhaduri. In fact, when the film's soundtrack failed to meet expected sales, the producers profitably decided to include his dialogues in the cassettes. Khan was also the first villain to endorse a product; he played Gabbar in ads for Britannia.
SHATRANJ KE KILADI
Convincing as the helpless, deluded monarch of Avadh, Khan made the audience symphathise with one of the more flawed characters of Indian history, the poetry-loving Wajid Ali Shah. This 1977 film is one of the most expensive Satyajit Ray movies. Ray met Khan when the latter was in hospital after meeting with a near fatal accident in Goa. The Oscar-winning director told him he wouldn't start shooting until Khan got better, and only he would play Wajid Ali Shah.
YAARANA
This1981 film depicted Khan as the loving and large-hearted friend of a simpleton Bachchan. Khan, usually seen baring his fangs, showed his softer side in the first half of the film. This also provides an opportunity to enjoy the Bachchan-Khan chemistry.
QURBANI
In this 1980 love triangle, Khan played the role of an inspector hot on Feroz Khan's trail. The paan-chewing, baton-wielding inspector continuously foils Feroz's attempts at thefts. He peppers the emotional drama with much-needed comic breaks.
RUDAALI
This critically-acclaimed film was the last one Khan shot for, though some of his films were released as late as four years after his death. This film is dedicated to Khan, who plays the role of ailing Bade Thakur in this film set in Rajasthan. The actor died before Rudaali was released. The film was sent to the Academy Awards in 1994 as Indian's official entry in the foreign film category.
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